Health Benefits

How Bariatric Surgery Can Help You

From more comfort and confidence to reduced blood pressure and a longer life-span, there are many benefits of bariatric surgery! *

For the Morbidly Obese

Morbid obesity can lead to a shorter life and many life-threatening health problems known as co-morbidities. Recent studies show that the risk of early death for those struggling with obesity is twice that of a non-obese person. With treatment, there is a better chance for enjoying good health and a longer life. One clinical study showed that gastric bypass surgery improves life expectancy in clients by 89 percent. *

A review of more than 22,000 bariatric surgery clients showed improvement in or complete resolution of conditions including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea.*

Extended Life Expectancy

Reduced life span due to obesity is important to consider. Compared to a person of normal weight, a 25-year-old obese man has a reduced life span, and he can expect a loss of about 12 years of life. Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve life span by reducing excess body weight. In a recent study, bariatric surgery reduced overall morbidity and the development of new health-related conditions in morbidly obese clients. Bariatric surgery reduced the relative risk of death by 89% with an absolute mortality reduction of 5.49%.*

Resolution of Obesity-Related Health Conditions

Through gastric bypass surgery, clients have shown more than 83% resolution in type 2 diabetes.*

Clients experience up to 88% resolution in obstructive sleep apnea, while another group noted 75% resolution in hypertension.*

More than 0% of clients saw an improvement in their hyperlipidemia.*

In 2004 meta-analysis of more than 22,000 clients showed that those who underwent a bariatric surgical procedure experienced complete resolution or improvement of their co-morbid conditions including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea.*

In 2000, a study of 500 gastric bypass clients showed that 96% of co-morbidities (the study looked specifically at back pain, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and depression) were improved or resolved.*

In studies involving more than 3,000 gastric banding clients, excess weight loss ranged from 28 to 87%, with a minimum of two-year postoperative follow-up.*

Obesity-related health conditions that may be improved or resolved with bariatric surgery include:

Type 2 diabetes*

High blood pressure*/heart disease*

Dyslipidemia (lipid metabolism abnormalities)*

Osteoarthritis of weight-bearing joints*

Depression*

Sleep apnea*/respiratory problems*

Gastroesophageal reflux*/heartburn*

Infertility*

Urinary stress incontinence*

Menstrual irregularities*

Asthma*

Skin breakdown*

Swollen legs*/skin ulcers*

Extremity venous stasis*

Gastric Bypass

Adjustible Gastric Banding

Gold Standard

USA

Australia/Europe

Type 2 Diabetes

83.7% resolved, within days of surgery

47.9% resolved

Hyperlipidemia

96.9% resolved

Significant improvement in overall cholesterol occurred, including a boost in HDL levels.

Hypertension

75.4% resolved 87.1% resolved or improved

70.8% resolved or improved

Weight Reduction

61.6% excess weight loss

47% excess weight loss

Reversible/Adjustable

No/No

Yes/Yes

Foreign Material

None

Implanted Device

Weight Loss Pattern

Quick & easier initial weight loss

Slower & more difficult initial weight loss

Long-Term Weight Loss

Bariatric surgery is an effective weight loss treatment. A recent study established the following criterion for successful bariatric surgery: the ability to achieve and maintain loss of at least 50% of excess body weight without significantly undesirable effects. Typical results for bariatric surgery meet this success criterion. The majority of people who have bariatric surgery are able to keep off at least half of their excess body weight long-term.*

The amount of weight a client will lose after the procedure depends upon several factors. These include:

Client’s age

Weight before surgery

Overall condition of the client’s health

Surgical procedure

Ability to exercise

Commitment to maintaining dietary guidelines and other follow-up care

Motivation of client and help from family, friends, and associates

Surgical treatment, although not without risk, is the most effective long-term treatment for extreme obesity and is likely to be used more widely given that the number of Americans with a BMI >40 has nearly tripled in the last decade. In 2004, approximately 140,600 bariatric surgery and revision bariatric surgery procedures were performed in order to treat morbid obesity.*

Lifestyle Opportunities

Bariatric surgery, whether it is gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, or other surgery, can reduce excess body weight and improve clients lives in many ways. Some benefits are common among clients; others are unique to each individual client.*